Rivers In The Light
Summary: The Fifth Doctor, with Adric, Tegan and Nyssa in tow, arrive in Tudor England for a dance at a local squire's house. However, as Tegan is soon to discover, the local ale (mostly non-alcoholic to humans) has a much more obvious effect on Trakenites...
(Trigger warnings for drinking and drunkenness)
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Read on FFN. Read on AO3.
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Tegan grumbled, stepping into the shoes.
‘I still don’t see why we couldn’t go to the sixties,’ she muttered, irritably. ‘At least the dresses there weren’t so heavy.’
‘I think you look very pretty,’ Nyssa giggled, smiling over at her. The Trakenite was dressed in a similar style of dress, used for Tudor dances. She looked very beautiful.
Tegan felt her cheeks flush slightly.
‘Oh, stop it, Nys.’
Oh, how she wished she hadn’t developed such embarrassingly intense feelings for Nyssa. At first, she’d assumed it was just a little crush, like the sort she’d had on friends when was at boarding school in France, but as the months had steadily widened the gap between their first meeting and the present, Tegan had become more and more aware as to the sheer extent of her feelings.
Of course, she was in love. And it pained her to know that Nyssa probably didn’t even notice. It pained her even more to know that -surely- Nyssa would never see her in the same way.
The Trakenite crossed the floor. She intertwined their fingers, grinning at Tegan.
‘Well, you might think otherwise, but I think you look beautiful,’ she said, cheeks dimpling as her eyes shone. ‘Truly beautiful, Tegan.’
Tegan felt her cheeks flush.
‘Oh, stop making fun, Nys-’
‘I assure you, I’m not making fun,’ Nyssa interjected, giving Tegan’s hand a tender squeeze. ‘Why must you be so harsh on yourself, Tegan?’
‘Thanks,’ Tegan mumbled. ‘I don’t deserve you, Nyssa.’
‘Yes, you do-’
‘Are you two going to be any longer?’
The two young women jumped at the sound of Adric’s voice.
‘J-just a minute!’ Tegan exclaimed, feeling her face burning now. She could hear the sounds of the young boy’s footsteps as he headed back towards the console room.
Nyssa giggled, smiling, squeezed Tegan’s hand again, and led her through the door of their shared room and through the gleaming white corridors of the TARDIS.
As they reached the console room, they found Adric stood by the controls, wearing Tudor period clothing; a pair of stockings with short britches, with a tunic. A slightly-large hat was placed on his moptop of black hair.
He looked even more irritated than normal.
‘I see the Doc forced you into this get-up too,’ Tegan said, in commiseration.
Adric nodded.
‘I suppose it could be worse,’ he said. ‘At least the TARDIS had this in my size.’
At that moment, the Doctor walked in through the main doors. To Tegan’s irritation, he was wearing his normal clothing. Well, if your definition of normal included a beige cricket suit and matching hat, anyway.
‘Ah, lovely!’ the timelord said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them cheerfully. ‘I see you all found clothing in the TARDIS wardrobe.’
‘I see you didn’t,’ Adric said, crossing his arms. ‘Doctor, what was it you said about “fitting into the time period”?’
‘Oh, timelords never worry about that,’ the Doctor said, with an airy wave of his hand. ‘Besides, my clothing fits in anywhere.’
Tegan and Adric shared a look, before sighing. Nyssa giggled, squeezing Tegan’s hand, and led her out of the TARDIS doors after the time lord. Adric followed a couple of paces later.
‘Now, we’ve landed in a lovely part of Dorset,’ said the Doctor, as the four of them walked along the road. ‘The squire of the manor is someone I met while you three were all getting changed, so he knows we’re on our way.’
‘Doctor, how are we going to explain who we all are?’ Tegan asked. The evening was already drawing in, and the sun looked like it would soon sink over the horizon. The squire’s house was visible a few hundred yards along the road.
‘Oh, I mentioned it earlier,’ said the Doctor, voice suddenly rather airy. ‘No need to worry.’
‘Doctor…’ Tegan replied, very slowly. ‘What did you say-’
‘Ah, Doctor!’
A man was stood in front of the main door, smiling widely. He was a cheerful-looking fellow, with a round face and lots of smile lines. Clearly, he was the squire.
‘Hello,’ said the Doctor, shaking the man’s hand. ‘Thank you again for your kind invitation.’
‘No need, no need,’ replied the squire, grinning. ‘It is lovely to meet you; ah, this is your daughter, I see!’
Tegan heard Adric repress a snicker as the squire turned to Tegan.
‘Er… yes,’ she said, suppressing an urge to elbow the boy in the ribs as she shook the squire’s hand. ‘How do you do?’
‘Lovely accent,’ replied the man, smiling. ‘Where are you from, young lady?’
‘And this is my ward,’ said the Doctor quickly, gesturing to Nyssa before Tegan could answer. ‘May I present Nyssa of Traken.’
‘Traken, eh?’ replied the squire, shaking Nyssa’s hand. ‘Is that anywhere near the Baltic? I used to know a merchant who sailed round those parts.’
‘Er…’ Nyssa said, looking a little baffled. ‘Geography was never my strong suit, sir.’
The squire gave a laugh, not seeming to notice Nyssa’s confused expression.
‘Your son, I take it?’ the man asked, now moving on to shake Adric’s hand. ‘How do you do, young fellow?’
‘How do I what?’ replied Adric, looking politely baffled.
The squire laughed, clearly assuming Adric was making a joke.
‘So… are you and Miss Nyssa engaged?’
‘Engaged to what?’ Adric replied, now looking even more confused.
‘To be married, of course.’ said the squire.
Adric made a face.
‘Definitely not,’ he said.
‘Oh, dear!’ exclaimed the squire, with a chuckle. ‘Rather too young for that sort of thing, anyway!’
‘Indeed,’ the Doctor said, quickly. ‘Now, my dear squire, you must tell me about the history of your delightful residence…’
Adric followed the Doctor and the squire inside, looking over his shoulder to shoot an apologetic grimace at Nyssa, who gave a laugh.
‘I don’t think you’re Adric’s type,’ Tegan said.
Nyssa giggled, slipping her hand into Tegan’s.
‘Don’t worry, Tegan,’ she said, cheeks dimpling as she smiled. ‘Adric isn’t really my type, either.’
‘Er…’ Tegan said, mouth suddenly very dry. ‘Good.’
Nyssa let out another giggle, as the two of them headed through the main doors. Tegan, now feeling distinctly flustered, was only dimly aware of the Doctor and Adric continuing the conversation with the squire. She always got like this whenever Nyssa held her hand; it wasn’t fair. Why was her friend so pretty and lovely?
The squire’s house was rather lovely, Tegan had to admit. It was decorated in the sort of style Tegan had seen in history books about the Tudor period, with some tapestries (mainly of nature scenes) on the walls. The floors were mainly wood, but were clearly well cared for. A modest amount of candles were dotted around. This was especially prevalent when they all entered the main hall of the place; it wasn’t especially big, but still large enough to be used as a function room, presumably for dances of the local gentry.
The squire came to a stop beside a long table, and picked up a jug. He then poured the contents into four different cups (glasses being presumably too expensive) and handed them out.
With an air of seeming reluctance, Nyssa let go of Tegan’s hand and took the cup that was offered to her.
‘Cheers,’ said the squire, raising his own cup.
There was a small chorus in response, and then Tegan took a small sip.
It was a lot less bad than she had been expecting. She had always got the sense from History class in school that drunkenness was more common in the Tudor period, but the Doctor had adamantly chastised her for this. Apparently, the assumption that the people in those drank more alcohol due to a lack of clean drinking water was something of an over-exaggeration.
Come to think of it…
‘Doctor,’ Tegan asked, in a whisper to the blonde man, ‘isn’t Ale alcoholic?’
‘Well, in your time, yes,’ replied the time lord. ‘But, in the Tudor period, it was made using a different amount of hops, meaning it was far less alcoholic. I wouldn’t worry, Tegan; the most you’ll get is a little happy.’
Tegan glowered at the blond man as he walked away to converse with the squire, who had started explaining the story of a nearby tapestry.
‘I’m sure the Doctor means well, Tegan,’ Nyssa said, smiling as she took a small sip of her ale.
‘Can you blame me for getting worried?’ Tegan replied, as the two of them sat down in chairs nearby. ‘Adric’s too young to be drinking and, more to the point, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink alcohol before.’
‘True,’ Nyssa giggled. ‘But maybe you can relax a little and just enjoy being back on Earth without us all being in mortal danger.’
Tegan took a look at Nyssa’s smiling face, and her heart softened, as it always did whenever the Trakenite looked like that in her direction.
‘Fair point,’ she said, taking a small sip from her own cup. ‘It is a bit different from Earth in my time, though; Australia hasn’t even been invented yet.’
‘Yes, you can’t regale anyone with stories about… what was that animal you mentioned the other week? The one with soft hair like you?’
‘Koalas?’ Tegan exclaimed. ‘Pretty sure I never mentioned their hair. Why? Do you think my hair is soft?’
‘Just a scientific observation,’ Nyssa said, quickly as she took another sip. Were Tegan’s eyes deceiving her, or were Nyssa’s cheeks turning slightly pink. ‘Your… your hair is very soft.’
‘Er… thank you,’ Tegan replied, feeling slightly out-of-sorts. ‘Listen, I don’t think this ale is my drink of choice; I’ll be back in a bit.’
Nyssa nodded, and Tegan stood up. She headed across the room, and placed her cup down on the table.
‘Miss Tegan?’
She turned. A boy -presumably, a servant in the house- was stood on the other side of the table.
‘Yes?’
‘Would you like something to eat?’
The boy was about Tegan’s age, and had short brown hair, a rounded nose and a few freckles dotted across his face. Lanky, with clothes that didn’t seem to fit quite right, he definitely looked a tad out of place. But his eyes were cheerful and kind.
‘No, thanks,’ Tegan replied. ‘I’m good at the moment. Nice to meet you, by the way; do you work here?’
‘Yes,’ said the boy, smiling. ‘In the kitchens.’
‘I’m Tegan.’
‘Henry.’
The two shook hands.
‘Have you worked here long, then?’ Tegan asked, pouring some spring water for herself out of another jug.
‘Couple of years,’ Henry replied, cheerfully. ‘My sister works here as well; well, when she isn’t giggling with her best friend, that is.’
‘Close, are they? Sounds like me and Nyssa.’
‘Yes, they seem to be in love, so I suppose Miss Nyssa and yourself are very close.’
Tegan choked on her water. Henry gave a laugh, handing her a napkin to wipe her face.
‘Y-yeah,’ Tegan said, feeling rather embarrassed. Oh, god, was she blushing? She probably was. ‘We’re friends.’
‘Yes… very close friends,’ Henry replied, grinning. ‘Are you feeling warm, Miss Tegan? Your face has turned pink.’
‘Oh, stop it!’ Tegan moaned, fanning herself. ‘It’s just that ale!’
‘The… non-alcoholic ale?’ Henry cheeked. ‘If you say so.’
Tegan glared at him for a second, before giving up and letting out a laugh. She then finished off her cup of water.
‘Do they pay you well here?’
‘About right for the area,’ Henry replied. ‘Enough to live on; I still live with my family. Bit of a nightmare when my sister brings her best friend home overnight; I get no sleep at all, with the racket they make.’
Tegan snorted with laughter.
‘My brothers used to get loud with their girlfriends, so I know the feeling. Good to speak to you.’
‘Same here,’ the boy said, smiling. Tegan gave him a quick wave and headed back across the floor. The Doctor was still in the middle of his lengthily conversation with the squire about the history of the house. Knowing the time lord, he probably already knew the place inside-and-out.
Tegan sat down next to Nyssa, who hadn’t moved from where she had sat down earlier. The young woman was still nursing a glass of the ale.
‘Who were you talking to?’ Nyssa asked, her voice slightly slurred. Her frow seemed to furrow in suspicion as she stared over the room at Henry.
‘Boy from the kitchens. Hang on, are you still drinking that ale?’ Tegan asked, bemused. ‘I didn’t think much of it, myself.’
Nyssa let out a little burp, before giggling.
‘Oh, yes,’ she said, slightly slurred. ‘This drink is rather wonderful. I feel all… tingly and merry.’
The Trakenite swayed slightly where she sat, leaning against Tegan’s shoulder.
‘Nyssa?’ Tegan asked, slowly. ‘Are you… alright?’
‘Never better,’ Nyssa said, smiling sweetly at her. ‘Oh, you look wonderful in the candlelight, Tegan.’
Tegan felt her heart beat faster. Why was Nyssa looking at her like that? And… wait, something was definitely wrong. Nyssa was not in the habit of being so carefree in the way she moved.
‘Er… shall we get you some water?’ Tegan said, quickly. ‘There’s some over that; come on…’
She stood up, and Nyssa awkwardly followed. However, as she rose to her feet, the Trakenite stumbled, landing against Tegan. The young woman looked upwards into Tegan’s face through her eyelashes, face flushed pink.
‘Oh…’ Nyssa breathed, very softly. ‘Pretty…’
Tegan swallowed. Something was definitely wrong.
‘Nyssa, c’mon, you’re being very…’
‘What?’ Nyssa whispered. ‘What am I being, Tegan?’
‘I… that is…’
Nyssa giggled again, and awkwardly leaned away from Tegan, who took the opportunity to grab the younger woman by the hand.
‘Doctor!’ Tegan exclaimed, half-dragging Nyssa along behind her. ‘Something’s wrong with Nyssa!’
The time lord turned away from the tapestry he had been examining (the squire had presumably been called away for something), and bent down slightly to the level of the two women.
He then snapped his fingers in front of Nyssa’s face. The young woman blinked sleepily.
‘What has she been drinking?’
‘The same as me,’ Tegan said, worried. ‘That ale stuff; but you said it wasn’t alcoholic.’
‘Oh, that would explain it,’ the Doctor said, sighing as he stood back up to his full height. ‘The ale brewed around this time isn’t alcoholic to humans, but it seems that it’s affecting Nyssa’s biology differently.’
‘You… you mean she’s drunk?’
‘Afraid so, yes,’ the Doctor replied. ‘I think perhaps you ought to get her back to the TARDIS and put her to bed.’
‘You… you’re sure there won’t be any other adverse effects?’ Tegan asked. ‘It won’t be poisonous to her or anything?’
‘None more so than alcohol normally is to humans, since it seems to be effecting her the same way. Don’t you worry, Tegan; Nyssa will be fine after a good nights’ sleep and a couple glasses of water.’
The Doctor handed Tegan his TARDIS key.
‘She’ll be fine, Tegan,’ he said, encouragingly. ‘Besides, she’s not going to run into any trouble when she has you with her, is she?’
‘Not bloody likely,’ Tegan said, gripping Nyssa’s hand tightly.
‘Good,’ replied the Doctor. ‘See you later, then.’
Tegan swallowed, and nodded. Nyssa giggled as Tegan turned her around and headed towards the door of the hall, hurrying the younger woman along, with a protective arm around her waist to stop her wobbling too much. Adric gave them a quizzical look as they passed him, but seemed to ascertain Nyssa’s certain and nodded in apparent understanding at Tegan. Somewhat surprisingly, he didn’t even laugh as the two women excited the hall. Maybe he was turning over a new leaf?
‘Miss Tegan?’
It was Henry, the servant boy. He had poked his head out of another doorway.
‘Oh, hi,’ replied Tegan. ‘Sorry, Nyssa’s not feeling very well.’
‘Is she ill?’ asked Henry, looking concerned. ‘Sorry, Miss Nyssa; would you like a cup of water?’
Nyssa stared at him in apparent confusion, as if not quite sure what he was asking.
‘She definitely needs some water,’ Tegan said, steering the younger woman through the door.
It was a kitchen of sorts, albeit one very much different to the kitchens Tegan was used to. No shiny cabinets and running water, that was for sure. Tegan guided Nyssa towards a chair next to the wall, and helped the Trakenite into it. Nyssa wobbled slightly as she sat down, brow still quizzically looking around. Henry was already heading towards another door, presumably the room where the jugs of water were kept in cold storage.
‘I’ll help you, Henry,’ she said, before turning to Nyssa. ‘I’m just going with Henry to…’
Tegan went to move, but found Nyssa’s arm suddenly wrapped around her own waist.
‘Er… Nys?’ she said, looking at the younger woman in bafflement. Nyssa was glaring at Henry with undisguised animosity.
‘Tegan’s mine!’ Nyssa exclaimed, pouting and pulling Tegan closer to her. ‘You can’t have her!’
‘Er… okay,’ said Henry, looking a tad confused as Tegan felt her face flush crimson. ‘I’ll just grab that cup of water…’
The boy hurried into the next room.
‘Nyssa!’ Tegan exclaimed, turning around to the younger woman as best she could, given Nyssa’s arm still wrapped tightly around her waist. ‘That was really rude!’
‘Don’t care,’ Nyssa said, pouting further. ‘He can’t have you.’
‘What are you talking-’
‘Here,’ said Henry, walking back into the room. He passed Nyssa a cup of water with a kind smile. ‘Your water, Miss Nyssa.’
Nyssa begrudgingly took the cup with her free hand and took a sip.
The water seemed to have something of an effect. At the very least, Nyssa removed her arm from around Tegan’s waist, and sat still for a moment, her eyes fluttering shut as she drank a few sips.
‘That’s good; just keep sipping that,’ Tegan said, squeezing Nyssa’s shoulder softly. She then looked over at Henry. ‘You wouldn’t happen to have some spare napkins, would you? I’m worried about her spilling stuff down her dress…’
‘Yeah; just through here.’
Tegan followed Henry into another room that jutted off from the kitchen. Nyssa didn’t object this time, although Tegan could feel the younger woman’s gaze on the back of her head.
‘Er, sorry about that,’ Tegan said, standing in the kitchen as the boy began to look through the cupboards for the napkins. ‘Nyssa’s normally a lot more polite than this. Not sure why she’s being so unpleasant.’
‘Really?’ -Henry let out a chuckle- ‘I would have thought it was quite clear why.’
Tegan ignored that as the boy continued to open and close cupboards, tidying up as he went.
‘Neither of you are from round here, are you?’ he continued, cheerfully. ‘You definitely don’t seem like locals.’
‘It’s…’ Tegan said, slowly. ‘Well, it’s a bit difficult to-’
‘No, I think I understand,’ Henry said. ‘Miss Nyssa is an alien and you’re from the future. It’s fairly obvious.’
‘O-oh,’ Tegan replied. ‘And… this doesn’t bother you?’
‘Why should it?’ the boy replied, smiling. ‘Although I think Miss Nyssa feels a tad threatened by my presence.’
‘T-threatened?’ Tegan repeated, feeling her face heat up again. ‘What are you-’
‘I do have eyes, Miss Tegan,’ Henry chuckled, as he finally found the napkins into Tegan’s hands. ‘You and Miss Nyssa look at each other like my sister does with her best friend.’
‘O-oh.’
Had she really been that obvious? She usually tried to keep her feelings under wraps when looking at Nyssa, just in case it became noticeable.
And-
Wait, was Nyssa looking at her like that as well?
Tegan swallowed. Too much to think about. She needed to focus. Especially on the fact that Henry had probably assumed she was flirting with him earlier; she had a habit of coming across like that with men she met, although she had never understood why.
‘Er, sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, Henry.’
‘Oh, no; you didn’t at all,’ Henry said, cheerfully waving away her apology with good grace. ‘I don’t see anyone that way, so no harm done.’
‘Really?’
Henry nodded.
‘Anyway, you best get back to Miss Nyssa; I imagine she’s already worried that I’m “stealing” you away from her-’
‘Oh, stop it!’ Tegan exclaimed, face burning. ‘She’s drunk; she doesn’t know what she’s saying!’
Henry snorted, as if he didn’t believe a word of it.
‘If you say so, Miss Tegan,’ he replied, grinning. ‘But she was holding on pretty tight to you earlier.’
*
Tegan unlocked the TARDIS doors with the key, and awkwardly helped Nyssa inside. The younger woman was getting even wobblier on her feet, and it was with relief that Tegan finally opened the door to their shared room. The lights inside automatically switched on, as if the time machine itself understood that Tegan would need both her hands free to help Nyssa across the room.
Although, for some strange reason, the TARDIS decided to only turn the lights on halfway, meaning that a soft, delicate light was the one that illuminated the room. It was as if they were wading through rivers in the light as they approached Nyssa’s bed.
It had taken a while to get Nyssa out of the house, although Henry had helped her through the servant entrances, which cut off a good deal of the route. He had also helped them through the now-dark grounds and out onto the road, holding a small lantern aloft.
He had cheerfully offered to walk them the rest of the way, but Tegan had noticed Nyssa bristle again, and quickly declined. Henry had grinned at her in a somewhat knowing way, before bidding them goodbye and heading back towards the house.
Luckily, it was a clear night and the stars in the sky above had been bright enough for Tegan to help Nyssa along the road without too much issue. She hadn’t even had to use the modern battery-powered-torch she had stashed underneath her dress.
‘Feel hot…’ Nyssa mumbled.
‘That’s the alcohol taking effect,’ Tegan said, helping her friend to sit down on the edge of her bed. ‘I’ll grab you some water and your nightie in a mo, but let’s get you out of your gown, okay?’
‘Too hot…’ Nyssa muttered, nodding in agreeing.
Tegan slowly undid the clasps of the dress, and helped Nyssa out of it. The woman sighed as the weight came away from her. Tegan tried not to look much at Nyssa, instead focusing on folding the dress neatly away. She had always tried to avoid looking too much at Nyssa whenever the younger woman was changing clothes; partially out of a sense that Trakenites might have considered it embarrassing to be looked at whilst disrobing, and partially due to the way her heart hammered painfully against her chest at the thought of Nyssa partially clothed.
Tegan then undid the clasps of her own dress, and climbed out of it. She had to admit, she wasn’t a massive fan of these dresses; they were a little too heavy for her taste.
‘Pretty…’ Nyssa said, staring at Tegan. ‘Very pretty…’
‘C’mon,’ Tegan said, ignoring the flush on her cheeks. ‘Let’s get you some water and then you can get changed.’
Tegan stepped quickly into their bathroom, and filled a cup with water from the tap. She then headed back across the room towards Nyssa, and handed the cup to the Trakenite.
Nyssa took a drink of the water, her eyes flickering softly shut as she swallowed.
‘Feel better?’
‘Mmm,’ Nyssa said, nodding softly. ‘Still a bit too hot.
‘Probably because you’re still wearing your shift,’ Tegan replied, sitting down next to Nyssa. ‘Probably time to get undressed.’
Nyssa grinned. Before Tegan knew what was happening, the young woman had leaned forward and put her hands on the straps of Tegan’s shift, dropping them down over her shoulders.
‘Not me!’ Tegan exclaimed, feeling her face burn as she put the straps back up. Nyssa gave a giddy laugh.
‘Now,’ Tegan continued, trying to establish some calm. ‘You really ought to-’
Tegan’s face flushed as she quickly pushed Nyssa’s hands away from her chest.
‘Nyssa!’ she exclaimed, heart racing. ‘Please!’
The young woman giggled.
‘Whyever not? Oh, Tegan, you have ever such lovely br-’
‘We need to get you into bed!’ Tegan said, quickly.
‘Oh, yes,’ Nyssa said, cheeks pinkening prettily. ‘That sounds wonderful.’
Before she quite realised what was happening, Tegan found herself pulled sideways onto the mattress. With a giggle, Nyssa climbed on top of her, straddling her hips.
‘Bedtime…’ Nyssa slurred, hiccupping again and letting out a giggle. ‘Come to bed with me, Tegan…’
Nyssa leaned down and pressed her lips to Tegan’s. The Australian startled, and Nyssa took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, her hands sinking into the curls of Tegan’s hair.
‘N-Nyssa…’ Tegan gasped, against Nyssa’s lips. ‘What are you-’
Nyssa giggled, angling her head to kiss Tegan better.
‘Ssshhh, my darling…’ she whispered, slurred, inbetween kisses. ‘I can’t kiss you properly if you keep talking…’
Tegan was so flustered by the combination of Nyssa’s lips against her own, Nyssa’s delicate whispers against her skin, and the term of affection, that she was unable to do anything for another few seconds, during which Nyssa deepened her kisses. And, oh, Nyssa really was enjoying this, wasn’t she? Her enthusiasm was shocking and yet exciting at the same time.
And, damn it, Tegan was enjoying it too.
Nyssa’s legs finally gave way, and she landed gently against Tegan, the alcohol presumably making her unable to keep kneeling over the Australian any longer. Nyssa gave another giggle, and continued kissing, now taking the opportunity to begin trails along Tegan’s jawline and down her neck. Nyssa’s hands moved to Tegan’s hair, with one slipping down her chest to-
‘Nyssa; stop,’ Tegan said, softly. She hated it, but she knew she couldn’t let this go any further. ‘You’re drunk, okay?’
‘Hmmm?’
‘You… you don’t really mean what I think you do.’
‘But I do…’
Tegan sighed.
‘That’s just the alcohol talking. I know when you’re sober, you’ll be embarrassed about this, so… just leave it, okay.’
Nyssa pouted.
‘But I do mean it,’ she said, looking adorably earnest.
‘Listen,’ Tegan said, sighing again. She pulled herself up on her elbows, and Nyssa sat up in her lap. ‘Once you’re sobered up and you still want to, we can then, okay?’
Nyssa’s face broke into a huge smile.
‘Really?’
‘I promise,’ Tegan replied.
Nyssa smiled, placing another -far softer- kiss against Tegan’s lips. It was far more tender than the hungry kisses earlier, and it almost felt like a promise.
Tegan gently helped Nyssa out of her lap, and the young woman lay on top of the duvet. Her eyes were already fluttering shut.
Smiling softly, Tegan slipped off of the bed, and eased the duvet out from under Nyssa before placing it on top of her. Nyssa sighed, snuggling into the warmth of the material.
‘Goodnight, Nys,’ Tegan said, softly.
‘G’night…’ Nyssa said, sleepily. ‘Tegan… stay…’
Tegan sighed softly, before climbing under the covers to lay beside the Trakenite. The lights around them slowly lowered, until they were in darkness. Nyssa reached forward and wrapped an arm around Tegan, cuddling up next to her. Tegan smiled, feeling herself steadily falling asleep, in line with Nyssa’s soft breathing so close to her.
*
Tegan dimly opened her eyes. The clock on the bedside cabinet was showing 7.30am. The TARDIS had a weird internal timekeeping, but it did exist on some form of day and night cycle, if purely to put its inhabitants at ease.
Nyssa stirred next to Tegan, rubbing her eyes blearily.
‘Morning, Nyssa,’ Tegan said, softly. ‘How are you feeling?’
Nyssa stared at her for a second, and Tegan saw the signs of recognition in the young woman’s face as the events of the previous night seemed to come back to her.
‘Oh…’ Nyssa murmured. ‘I… I…’
‘It’s okay,’ Tegan said. ‘You were drunk; you don’t need to explain anything.’
‘E-explain?’
‘The alcohol made you react differently,’ Tegan said, playing with a loose strand of the duvet. She suddenly found that she couldn’t quite look Nyssa in the eye. ‘But it’s okay. I know you don’t see me like that. It’s... fine.’
‘Oh… Tegan…’
There was such emotion in the young woman’s voice that Tegan’s eyes snapped up on their own accord. Nyssa was staring at her, eyes wide and…
‘N-Nyssa?’
Before Tegan quite knew what was happening, Nyssa was straddling her hips, their faces barely an inch apart.
‘Don’t you ever think that I don’t love you.’
Nyssa was staring down at Tegan, her face burning with a fierceness Tegan had never seen before.
‘I… y-you do?’
‘Of course, Tegan,’ Nyssa whispered. ‘How could you ever… oh, Tegan; why else do you think I wanted to kiss you so much for?’
‘O-oh.’
‘I mean, I thought I was being fairly obvious,’ Nyssa continued, now stroking Tegan’s cheek with a gentle finger. ‘I… I wanted to show you that I love you as much as you love me.’
‘W-wait, what?’ Tegan spluttered, face now turning a deep crimson. ‘You… you knew?’
It was Nyssa’s turn to blush.
‘It was rather difficult to miss,’ the Trakenite whispered, cheeks dimpling as she smiled. ‘I had to check the TARDIS databanks to make sure you weren’t ill, given how often the pupils of your eyes were dilating.’
Tegan stared at her, utterly flummoxed and mortified.
‘So… you’re fine with it?’
‘Need I repeat that I love you too, Tegan?’ Nyssa giggled, now leaning in even closer. Her other hand began to trace a line down Tegan’s side. ‘Can we please stop talking? The alcohol’s effects have gone so we can…’
‘N-Nyssa!’ Tegan exclaimed, feeling her face burn even further. She could heat sharply rising in some other -more southerly- places too. ‘What are you-’
‘Tegan,’ Nyssa whispered, gentle as a summer breeze. The light of the room seemed to catch on her long eyelashes. ‘You did promise, my love.’
‘Oh,’ Tegan replied, before letting out a laugh. She grinned up at the woman, feeling her heartrate joyously increasing. ‘Fair point. So… speaking of that promise…’
Nyssa giggled, pressing her lips to Tegan’s once again. It was shaping up to be a rather wonderful way to keep a promise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for reading, everyone! Hope you enjoyed this fic!
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